PHYS 633
Classical and Modern Physics III
Topic: Modern Physics
Prerequisite:
Instructor permission is required to take this course to make sure all teachers are adequately prepared. An undergraduate degree is required. Normally PHYS 631 and 632 have already been taken. If not, then two semesters of calculus-based introductory physics including mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, fluids, electricity, magnetism, and optics should already be completed. Contact Professor Thornton by email to obtain permission. You might include a brief summary of physics courses taken and teaching experience to save time..
Purpose:
A comprehensive study of modern physics using some calculus and emphasizing concepts and problem solving. This course is intended for in-service teachers, particularly those desiring to be (or already are) high school physics teachers. This course can be used for teachers who are seeking endorsement or certification to teach high school physics. This is a required course for the UVa Masters of Art in Physics Education.
Physics 633, Modern Physics, is tailored to fit the needs of current teachers for whom the typical university class schedule is not convenient.
- Do you need more physics content?
- Do you need recertification points?
- Would you like to add a physics teaching endorsement?
This distance-learning course can help you reach all of these goals. You can take it from anywhere in the world. It is structured to allow you to complete all of the assignments without travelling to Charlottesville. Although there are completion deadlines, you may work at a faster pace and complete the course in less than a semester.
This distance-learning course will introduce
- relativity
- particle and wave properties of matter
- atomic structure
- quantum mechanics
- the quantum mechanical model of the atom
- subfields of physics including solid state (transistors and solar cells), nuclear (reactors), particle physics, cosmology (origin of the universe).
The organization of the course is based on the textbook. This website supplements the required textbook readings. See http://modern.physics.virginia.edu/course/index.html
Instructor:
Stephen T. Thornton, Professor of Physics.
Dates:
This is a distance-learning course taught entirely via the Internet.
There is considerable flexibility for when the work is done, but it generally
needs to be done between May 14– August 4, 2009. Students may start the
class as late as June 1. Flexibility will be allowed for those going on
vacation or taking other workshops/courses during the summer. However,
there will be deadlines for homework and exams during the 3 month time
period, and because this is a serious course, it is not possible to put
the work off until the last few weeks. The Instructor can change the suggested
deadlines for individual students who have a varied summer schedule. All
assignments will be posted at the beginning of the course. A diligent
student working full time on just this course could finish in 3-4 weeks,
but probably would not fully absorb the content.
Course Tuition/Registration:
Four hours graduate credit. Go to tuition
for more information. Because instructor permission is required for this
course, you cannot register online. Please contact Professor Thornton
(email: stt@virginia.edu; phone:
434-924-6808) to first obtain permission. We just want to make sure teachers
have an appropriate background. If you have already completed PHYS 631
and 632, Professor Thornton may have already given permission to
SCPS for you to register for the course. Then please call 434-982-5319
to register by phone. This must be done through the University Center
office of the UVa School of Continuing and Professional Studies. In-state
and out-of-state tuition rates are available.
Grades:
Grades will be determined by the following (subject to change):
- Homework problems: 20%
- Chapter tests: 40%
- Final Exam: 40%
Textbook:
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3/e
Author: Stephen T. Thornton & Andrew Rex
Publisher: Brooks/Cole (Thomson Learning) Publishing
ISBN#: 0-534-41781-7.
See http://modern.physics.virginia.edu/course/materials.html
for textbook purchase information.
NOTE: We will be using the 3rd edition of Modern Physics for Scientists
and Engineers by Thornton and Rex.
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